Patrick picks up his glass. “Gently twirl the rum in the glass, allowing the liquor to coat its sides.”
We do as he suggests and look at him expectantly.
“Next, it’s important to begin with a tiny sip that clears the palate. Then you can follow up with a larger sip that coats the mouth. Unlike a wine tasting, you swallow both and don’t spit.”
I follow his lead and swirl the clear rum in the glass. Then I take my first small sip, followed by a larger sip.
“It should have a long, pleasant, lingering finish—not a hot, kerosene-like burn.”
Lilly looks at me and nods. “It’s sweet but not overwhelming.”
“I like this. Very good,” I say.
Patrick seems pleased. He next pours three fresh glasses of what he refers to as a “golden rum.” We go through the same thing.
“Oh,” Lilly says. “There’s a subtle difference. It does linger on the palate.”
I nod.
“Yes!” Patrick exclaims.
I ask a few questions about the plantation and how things are going around the island.
“Typical small-town politics,” Patrick says, brushing me off. “I’m sorry Audrey and I didn’t make it back for Cecelia’s funeral,” he adds after a moment. “We wanted to.”
I nod. Audrey has multiple sclerosis, and she has good and bad days, so I understand. “It was a dark time, and we’re still coming back from it,” I tell him. “But thanks to you, we can hide from prying eyes. The house in Sausalito has had multiple break-in attempts, and they’re getting pretty creative. Security even found a tunnel from the next-door neighbors’ house.”
Lilly looks at me, surprised. I may have failed to mention that to her. But give me a few sips of rum, and I’m all loose lips.
Patrick’s eyes are wide. “So, they planned on popping up next to the back porch and walking in?”
I laugh. “I don’t know what they were thinking. But they set off the alarms, and the police and SWAT team were dispatched.”
“The neighbors must love us,” Lilly says dryly.
Patrick holds up a bottle of dark rum. “Ready for the next taste?”
We nod, and he pours.
After doing the small sip followed by a larger sip, I’m bowled over. “This is really good.”
“This is fantastic.” Lilly nods. “I can taste the caramelization. Wow.”
Patrick is clearly thrilled. “Thank you. This really is a labor of love. Anyway, dinner is ready. After we eat, we can finish the tasting. I have spiced, coconut, and coffee-flavored rums, and I’ll share with you a taste from the first bottle I made, which is a twelve-barrel select reserve.”
We enjoy an incredible lamb dinner, followed by the last round of the tasting, but most importantly, we enjoy time with Patrick. Eventually it gets late, and Lilly stands and kisses me on the cheek.
“You two continue to catch up,” she says. “There’s a beautiful bathtub in our room, and I bought some bubbles today. I’m going to take a bath.”
I nod and watch her leave.
“I like her with you,” Patrick says.
“Thanks. I wasn’t sure I was going to ever find anyone after Cecelia, but I surprised myself.”
“How did you meet?”
I tell him about Lilly being the accidental nanny and how the girls would choose her over me.
“I agree.” Patrick grins. “I think Cecelia did have a hand in this.”
“How is Audrey doing?”
Patrick looks away. “She’s on the mainland, in Denver, right now. The MS does better in the higher altitude and drier air, and she’s hoping to get into a study on a new medication there. The flare up she had at the time of Cecelia’s funeral was a significant step down in her health, but she’s in good spirits.”
“I’m sorry to hear about the flare up. If you need me to reach out to anyone about the study, let me know.”
“I appreciate that.”
The next time I look at my watch, it’s well after midnight. “Jeez, it’s late. As a thank you for letting us visit, I’d like to make a donation either to the people of Niihau or wherever you need it.”
“Niihau would appreciate it. We were on the fence about allowing the internet on the island. We wanted the locals to be able to live an authentic Hawaiian lifestyle, but it seems to create a circle of oppression. So now, we’re working on it.”
“Whatever you need. I know a few people who work in technology. We’re staying at Jackson Graham’s estate on Maui. Maybe we can get them some of his solar window film that will help with electricity.”
“I’d be interested in a conversation,” Patrick says. “We do use solar power, but we’ve refrained from becoming too westernized. That’s the agreement we made—that they could preserve the Hawaiian culture and way of life. I let them decide what they want from the mainland and support them as they want or need.”
I nod. “Consider it done. I’ll get it arranged with you and Jackson. Thanks again for allowing us to spend some time trying to be normal here.”
“Hey, man, I get it.”
With that, I leave Patrick and return to our room to find a very naked Lilly spread out in bed, fast asleep. It may be a while before we have the chance to be together again, but maybe I should let her sleep. Then again, maybe not…
Chapter 34
Nate
Though we’re still here in our own little paradise, the visit from Jim yesterday has been on my mind. I have news Lilly isn’t going to be crazy about, and while I know I need to talk to her about it, I have to psych myself up. It’s the last thing I want to do, but Jim and his team, along with Walker Clifton and the FBI, have determined we need to bait Viviana and whoever it is she’s working with to draw them out.
I haven’t slept well. Before I came to bed last night, I made a change to my will. I know in my heart of hearts that Lilly would be the best to take care of the girls if anything happens to me.
Alicia will manage the business and make sure Katrina and Bex are always financially supported, but Lilly is the best to take care of them emotionally. It kills me that she might be giving up her life’s work to do that, but I’ve made provisions so she would hopefully be able to do both.
I’d never admit this, but I’m scared. I know I have some of the best-trained men behind me, but these people killed Cecelia, and the FBI believes they’re who killed her brother, Alex, a few years ago too. I must be prepared for anything.
Lilly sleeps soundly. I love how well she fits next to me. She makes little moans if I touch her while she’s sleeping. It makes me never want to leave her. But I know if I don’t act, we’ll be on the run and in hiding until we get lazy or complacent and they find us.
It’s time to wake her. I’m going to hurt her today, but this is the only way.
I pull the cover back and slowly caress her legs. They’re so soft. I apply kisses as I nudge them open and lie between them, taking in the glorious view of her pink delight. I rub my finger through her folds, and she’s wet and ready for me. I take my time, licking, sucking, and enjoying the wake-up call I give her.
“You do that so well,” she murmurs.
I lift her leg over my shoulder as she writhes beneath my touch. She pushes my head against her mound and toys with her nipple. Her breathing grows labored, and I know she’s close. I lick and suck her clit as if I’m trying to give her another love bite, and it sends her closer to the edge. I capture every drop of her arousal as it leaks from her. Suddenly every muscle in her body tenses, and I feel the gush of her pleasure hit my mouth. I savor every drop until she’s completely relaxed and sated.
“Wow. I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed waking up so much,” she says dreamily.
I laugh. I have a raging hard-on, and I wouldn’t mind burying myself deep inside her, but I’ll be fine if we’re done for the morning. She’s in charge. Not me.
After a moment, Lilly rolls over and puts her ass up in the air. “Do you think you can make me come again?
”
I run my hand down her smooth skin, hoping this isn’t the last time. “I’m feeling pretty confident.”
She wiggles her hips at me. “Then what are you waiting for?”
I pull her to the edge of the bed so I can stand behind her. Pushing her head down, I get the full view of her beautiful pussy, plump and glistening. I push in, and she’s so tight from her first orgasm. Rocking back and forth, I finally become seated. Once I’m there, I’m able to glide in and out easily.
“Faster,” Lilly demands.
I hold on to her hips so tightly I’m sure she’ll have bruises later.
“Yeeeessssssss. That feels good. Spank me.”
I slap her ass, which leaves a handprint, and I almost come on the spot.
“Again,” she breathes.
I slap her a second time and she goes still, her channel holding my cock like it’s in a vice.
I feel her fingers working her clit, and she grazes my balls. I spank her again. She’s going to be feeling that for the rest of the day. Her insides milk my cock, and I explode within her.
I pull out and immediately miss her warm channel. “Damn, woman. You’re incredible.”
“I think it’s the two of us together.” She giggles, and I love that sound. “That’s the best, but my backside is going to be sore today.”
“I love that every time you move, you’ll be thinking of me this morning.”
Lilly rolls into me and rests her head on my chest. “We have to return to reality tonight.”
“I know.” I run my fingers through her hair. “You haven’t asked why Jim was here.”
“I figured if you wanted me to know, you’d tell me.”
“You aren’t curious?”
“Well, I suppose if you were going to hold out on me, I’d have to get on my knees and tease it out of you.” She’s rolling my balls in her palm, and she licks my nipple.
“You’re a wicked woman,” I breathe.
“Not really. I’ve been privy to a lot of personal and private information over the last three years. It’s not for me to question or ask. If you want me to know, then please tell me.”
I sit up. “Go get in the shower. We need to talk about what’s going to happen today.”
She gets up on her elbows. “What am I not going to like?”
I take a breath. There’s no more putting this off. “We’re going to fly to Maui. The girls, your mom and her nurses, and your things will be there waiting for you when we land. Then the six of you, plus a group of six men, will be boarding the plane. The pilot will file multiple flight plans, but you’ll be going to a private airstrip in Montana and Landon Walsh’s ranch.”
Lilly sits up in bed and wraps the sheet around her. Her eyes search mine. “Where are you going?”
“I’ll be returning with Jackson and Corrine to San Francisco. I’m going to the house. Jim and Walker and his team will be there. Our plan is to draw Viviana out, along with whoever is behind her, and be done.”
“I want to go with you,” she whispers.
“You can’t,” I say, pushing a strand of hair off her face. “I couldn’t take it if something happened to you or to the girls. This will make it much easier for the team to manage.”
She reaches for my hands. “We won’t survive if anything happens to you.”
I kiss her softly.
With the sheets wrapped around her, she stands at the window and watches the surf. She’s not looking at me. “I know Cecelia will always be your soulmate and the love of your life. But you will always be mine. Please don’t do this. Don’t put yourself in harm’s way. I need you, and the girls need you.”
I can hear the hurt in her voice, but it isn’t like that. She means everything to me. I wrap my arms around her and stare into her beautiful eyes. “I’ve been extraordinarily lucky. I wouldn’t be the man I am today without Cecelia, but I can’t imagine living the second half of my life without you. We just have to get this figured out so we can have that life.” I smother her face with kisses. It’s the only thing I know to do. “I need you to take the girls and your mom with you to Montana. You’ll be safe. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
“Please. Please come with us,” she begs.
“This is the only way we can get this behind us. But I promise, I won’t be gone long. The girls should love it. There are horses and so many fun things to do. You’ll be safe. And for now, we still have our day together. We’re going to go on a helicopter ride to see the parts of the island that are closed except for backpackers and hikers.”
She nods her agreement, but she’s silent all the way to the helipad, and she barely looks at me as we rise into the air. The views are spectacular. As the oldest of the Hawaiian Islands, Kauai seems the lushest and greenest. We see tons of waterfalls and other incredible scenery.
“I can’t wait to bring the girls back here,” I tell her, trying to push her mind toward better times ahead.
But Lilly barely seems to be listening to me or enjoying the ride. Her mind is dealing with the change in plans.
I offer her lunch of what she swore was the best tuna poke she’d ever had from the food truck as we make our way back to the Anderson estate. She agrees, but once it’s in front of her, she hardly touches it.
“What are you thinking about doing with the girls in Montana?” I ask after a moment.
“Hard to say.” Lilly crosses her arms. “I would guess it’s going to take several days to adjust to our new surroundings. I need to see where they are with the online classes and make sure they’re not behind. But I’m sure we’ll find plenty to keep us busy.”
“I promise, I will only be gone as long as I have to be and not a minute longer.” I take her hand. “I think what I’ll miss most is spooning with you at night.”
“We do that really well,” she agrees.
I put my arm around her. “I’ll miss the taste of your pussy.”
That makes her blush, but she sits up straight. “I’m trying to remind myself that even if you were coming with us to Montana, we wouldn’t be able to spoon very often, and getting a taste of my va-jay-jay would definitely be out of the question with the girls in the next room.”
“We’ll get it figured out. There must be hotels in town.”
When we’ve finished eating, we hold hands and walk back to the car. The view from the picnic bench where we were sitting is spectacular, and I turn back to savor it. I will definitely bring the girls here.
Back at the estate, we gather our things. Once our bags are packed and being loaded into the car, we see Patrick one last time.
“Thanks again for the generous donation for Niihau,” he says.
I nod. “It’s the least I can do after all your hospitality. Please give my best to Audrey. I’m going to have someone from my team call you and order a bunch of rum, and I know the proprietor of the Shangri-la in Vegas. I’m hosting a big poker tournament in a few weeks, and I’ll make a recommendation for their bars.”
“Thank you. I appreciate that. I’ll send them a case of all the different rums so they can try them out.”
“We’ll have to bring you out for one of our poker tournaments.”
Patrick smiles and pulls Nate into a hug. “Be safe, my friend.” He turns to Lilly and embraces her. “You’re welcome any time.”
We’re in the car and heading back to the plane in no time. We’re now on Jim’s timetable, and the plan has begun. It’s wheels up quickly, and I look out over the beautiful island. “I wouldn’t mind having a private beach resort to escape to.”
Lilly nods.
I kiss the top of her head. I know she’s conflicted. “You know we can have phone sex while I’m gone.” I grin at her, and she turns a beautiful shade of crimson.
“That’s not what this is about,” she protests. She bites her bottom lip. “You know your body is a place of worship for me, but I would like you even if you weren’t all Raider like.”
“You’d like me if I looked like Santa Cl
aus?”
She nods, and I believe her. She likes me for me and my girls. Not any other reason. I hold her and imprint her smell, the way she feels, and what she looks like into my memory. Being away from her is going to be hard. It’s a quiet flight, with both of us preparing for the inevitable separation.
When we land in Maui, the girls are there to greet us. Thankfully, Leilani has also come, as have a few others on her staff.
“Mahalo. I wish you could stay longer,” she says to Lilly with a tight embrace.
“Me too,” Lilly says. “I guess we need to talk Jackson and Corrine into allowing us to come again.”
“You just ask me.” Lelani tucks a flower behind Lilly’s ear. “You can bring these beautiful girls, and we’ll have a grand time.”
Kate steps in. “Have a safe flight,” she tells Lilly. “You’ll love the ranch. You’re an experienced rider, and they have all sorts of horses.”
“Please don’t be too mad at me,” Jim tells her.
“You know he didn’t tell me until this morning.” Lilly’s voice breaks, and I know she’s trying to be strong.
“He didn’t want to ruin your trip,” Jim tells her.
She nods. “You need to take care of him. His girls and I would be devastated if anything happened to him.”
“I will. The FBI is all over this. I promise.” Jim squeezes her shoulder.
The girls are hanging all over me. “I love you both so much.” I hug them tight. “You’re going with Lilly. I’ll be with you as soon as I can get there. I promise.” I see so much of their mother in them. I know they’ll be fine.
“I’m only going because they have horses,” Bex announces.
“I’m only going because Lilly will be there,” Katrina says.
“And we’re going to have so much fun,” Lilly says with a brave face. “I see horseback riding, maybe a visit to Yellowstone, and certainly some nice hikes in our future.”
“No thanks on the hikes,” Katrina announces.
Several in the crowd laugh. She is her mother.
Showdown: Tech Billionaires Page 30